Action Plan and Interactive Digital Equity Map Released in Celebration of Digital Inclusion Week
In celebration of Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released today Cook County’s first-ever
Digital Equity
Service Information
President Preckwinkle Announces First-Ever Digital Equity Action Plan to Bridge Digital Divide in Cook County
Action Plan and Interactive Digital Equity Map Released in Celebration of Digital Inclusion Week
In celebration of Digital Inclusion Week (DIW), Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle released Cook County’s first-ever Digital Equity Action Plan. The plan offers a strategic framework to ensure that all Cook County residents have equitable access to the digital infrastructure, devices and tools to thrive in today’s economy and society. It also invites residents, businesses and community organizations to collaboratively build impactful solutions in the areas of digital accessibility, confidence, safety and security, and infrastructure. To kick off DIW, Cook County’s Bureau of Technology also released an interactive Digital Equity Map which allows residents to gain insights about digital access in their communities.
Digital Inclusion Week Calendar of Upcoming Events
Tuesday, October 3
How to Tell Your Story
NDIA, Network:On, and the Glen Echo Group
Public education and engagement are critical to the success of #InternetforAll - but how can digital inclusion practitioners, who already have a million things on their plates, effectively communicate and tell their stories? Join NDIA, Network:On, and the Glen Echo Group during Digital Inclusion Week for a workshop on telling your story, with tips and tricks to engage with your audiences and ensure that the right people know about the important work you're doing in your communities and states.
- 2:00 PM
- Virtual - Click here to register
In-person and Online: Building Cook County’s Digital Equity Ecosystem
Equitable access to the internet, computers, and other digital tools is essential today. Cook County’s Digital Equity Action Plan charts a path to ensuring these opportunities for connection are accessible to all members of our communities. This presentation will review the inaugural Cook County Digital Equity Action Plan and its companion tool, the Cook County Digital Equity Map.
October 2nd- October 6th is also Digital Inclusion Week. Digital Inclusion Week (DIW) is an annual awareness, recognition, and celebration week. With support from NDIA, organizations like Cook County Government and individuals across the country host special events, run social media campaigns, and share their digital inclusion actions and progress with media, among other activities. This presentation will also share how Cook County celebrates DIW this year and other opportunities to participate.
- In-person (meal provided): 6:00 PM
- Livestream Starts: 6:30 PM
- TechNexus - 20 N Upper Wacker Drive, 12th Floor, Chicago, IL 60606
ROC ED's Community Hub Launch Event
ROC ED
This will be a call to action for all local companies and organizations to help close the Chicago Southland Region's computer gap. We are asking them to pledge to donate their organization's retired computers, iPhones and Androids. We will provide device accessibility in the Community Hub to members of our Community Navigator program who demonstrate a need. We will advertise our Community Navigator program, discuss our new cohort mentorship program, and encourage local entrepreneurs to apply. We will be accepting 10 members in the cohort.
- 6:00 PM
- 15910 Cottage Grove, South Holland, IL 60473
Create with Canva
Oak Lawn Public Library
Participants will discover how to create quick and professional-looking designs using Canva. This library event can accommodate up to 12 patrons and requires basic computer skills.
- 6:00 PM
- Oak Lawn Public Library - Computer Training Center - 9427 S. Raymond Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Online Cooking Class with Kristyn Slick: Oktoberfest
Flossmoor Public Library
Pretzels, polka and parades! It’s Oktoberfest, the largest festival in the world, where Bavarian culture is celebrated in style. Learn how to prepare classic German cuisine and leave with the recipes and know-how to create your own Oktoberfest party! Kristyn will be cooking alongside you, sharing instructions, tips and tricks throughout class. The class is your time to ask questions, ask for feedback, learn a little something and most importantly, have fun!
To Prepare for Class: Patrons will simply purchase ingredients & gather their kitchen equipment from the provided recipes. For a more relaxed class, we recommend prepping your ingredients ahead of time (chopping, measuring). This is not required, however, as you will be guided through every step of preparation. You may also join us to simply watch along!
- 6:30 PM
- This program will be presented live on Zoom. Please email dicastroj@flossmoorlibrary.org (Subject: Oktoberfest) to receive program access information. Registration is required.
Wednesday, October 4
Senior iPhone/iPad 3
Schaumburg Township District Library
Seniors can learn how to manage notifications, update apps and use the camera on their iPhone or iPad in a small group setting. This is part three of a four-part series.
- 10:00 AM
- Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60193
Open Computer Lab
North Riverside Public Library
Allow anyone to use the internet easily on in a safe space with basic assistance.
- 10:00 AM
- North Riverside Public Library District
Tech Empowerment for Older Adults
Forest Park Public Library
Cook County Director of Digital Equity will be the guest speaker to discuss the inaugural digital equity action plan and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) for our monthly digital literacy group coaching program.
- 11:00 AM
- Forest Park Public Library 7555 Jackson Blvd. Forest Park IL 60302
Let's Get Digital!
OAI-PRNN
The main goals of the Let's Get Digital Event are to 1. provide free digital literacy training to our community members. 2. Showcase the services available to community through our Maker's Lab which is home to our 3D Printers, laser and wood engravers.
- 1:00 PM
- 208 Forest Blvd. Park Forest, Il 60466
One-on-One Tech Help
Skokie Public Library
We host a 2-hour drop-in session twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) for patrons to come ask whatever questions they may have about their devices, different software programs, or anything else related to technology.
- 2:00 PM
- Skokie Public Library
Affordable Connectivity Program Pop-up
LatinX Digital Leaders Now
Is your internet getting too expensive? Join LatinX DLN to learn more about how you can receive a $30 discount on your internet service!
- 2:30 - 3:30 p.m.
- Graves Elementary School 6021 S 74th Ave, Summit, IL 60501
Device Advice
Steger South Chicago Heights Public Library
Help patrons better understand and use their own devices.
- 3:00 PM
- Steger South Chicago Heights Public Library District
ACP Pop-Up Program
Niles-Maine District Library
Information table near the entrance.
- 4:00 PM
- Niles-Maine District Library
Thursday, October 5
Introducción al laboratorio de computación (introduction to the computer lab)
Corazon Community Services
Our event will feature basic conversations that will help guide the creation and development of our computer classes resources, in addition, participants will go through some basics computer skills training such as online navigation, gmail and safe online shopping. This will host two sessions of two hours each for 15 individuals.
- First session will start at 10 a.m. and the second will start at 12:30 p.m.
- Corazon Community Services: 5339 west 25th street, Cicero, IL 60804
Senior iPhone/iPad 4
Schaumburg Township District Library
Seniors can learn how to use Siri, get directions and find a misplaced device on their iPhone or iPad in a small group setting. This is part four of a four-part series.
- 10:00 AM
- Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60193
Open Computer Lab
North Riverside Public Library District
Allow anyone to use the internet easily in a safe space with basic assistance.
- 10:00 AM
- North Riverside Public Library
Computer Basics
Oak Lawn Public Library
We will introduce participants to the basics of computers, including how to use a mouse and keyboard, navigate the desktop, and other general information about commonly installed software.
- 2:00 PM
- Oak Lawn Public Library - Computer Training Center - 9427 S. Raymond Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453
eBook & eAudiobook Drop-in
Schaumburg Township District Library
Help people learn how to download eBooks and eAudiobooks from library service to their devices.
- 3:00 PM
- Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60193
TTHSD205
Thornton Township HSD 205
Digital Equity Community Conversation and ACP Sign Up.
- 6:00 PM
- TTHSD205 T-107 (TECHNICAL BUILDING)
ROC ED Digital Equity Community Conversation
River Oaks Community Education and Development Corporation (ROC ED)
We will bring back our participants from our last community conversation on digital equity to present the county's plan as it will then be released.
- 6:00 PM
Digital Inclusion Community Outreach
West Harvey School District/Dixmoor Public Library Board
- 6:00 PM
- Rosa Parks Middle School
Friday, October 6
Email Basics & Internet Safety
Evergreen Park Public Library
Learn to set up a free email account to send messages and attachments, forward, and more. Navigate the Internet using search engines safely.
- 10:00 AM
- 9400 S Troy Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Open Computer Lab
North Riverside Public Library
Allow anyone to use the internet easily on in a safe space with basic assistance.
- 10:00 AM
- North Riverside Public Library
Markham Library Device Distribution Event
Markham Public Library
We plan to distribute 50 computers, sign up residents for ACP, and offer a tech help desk for all patrons.
- 3-4:30pm
- Markham Public Library
Memory Lab Showcase
Schaumburg Township District Library
Help patrons understand the free equipment available at the Library to help them preserve their memories (like photos and home movies) by converting them into a digital format.
- 5:00 PM
- Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60193
Past Digital Inclusion Week Events
Monday, October 2, 2023
Book Challenges on the Rise: Support Your Freedom to Read
Flossmoor Public Library
“Freedom to Read” is a fundamental American right: your right to choose the ideas, information, and cultural experiences that are right for you and your family. That right is guaranteed by the First Amendment of the United States Constitution. And your public library supports that right by providing free and open access to all.
Book bans infringe on that right. When people demand that libraries remove books, they deny you and others the right to choose. Those demands are happening at an unprecedented rate. The American Library Association (ALA) reports more book challenges in 2022 than any previous year.
This Banned Books Week webinar, moderated by syndicated columnist Heidi Stevens, will share how to effectively support intellectual freedom. We will examine the current state of book challenges, Illinois’ legislative response, and the implications of censorship on communities with this panel of experts:
- Alexi Giannoulias, Illinois Secretary of State and State Librarian
- Monica Harris, executive director, Reaching Across Illinois Library System
- Jasmine Warga, author of challenged books; The Shape of Thunder and Other Words for Home
- Jarrett Dapier, author of challenged picture books and freedom to read advocate
This presentation is co-hosted by multiple Illinois libraries.
7:00 PM
https://vapld.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5JqN2Bt1RBOfSjQoWwNB7A#/registration
Tech Help Hour
Oak Lawn Public Library
Tech Help Hour is a weekly drop-in event where patrons can get assistance with their computers, smartphones, or other devices.
- 2:00 PM
- Oak Lawn Public Library - Computer Training Center - 9427 S. Raymond Ave., Oak Lawn, IL 60453
Senior iPhone/iPad 1
Schaumburg Township District Library
Seniors can learn how to use the internet and apps on their iPhone or iPad in a small group setting. This is part one of a four part series on how to use iPhones and iPads.
- 10:00 AM
- Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60193
Email Basics & Internet Safety
Evergreen Park Public Library
Learn to set up a free email account to send messages and attachments, forward, and more. Navigate the Internet using search engines safely.
- 10:00 AM
- Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S Troy Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Technology Lending at Evergreen Park Public Library
Evergreen Park Public Library
Evergreen Park Public Library has laptops, internet hotspots and data-enabled tablets available for checkout to cardholders. Devices can be borrowed for a period of 1-4 weeks depending on the technology. Laptops are also available for use in the library.
- 12:00 PM
- Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S Troy Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Book-a-Librarian for Tech Help at Evergreen Park Public Library
Evergreen Park Public Library
If you are looking for help with a specific task related to a computer, phone, tablet, or any other device, Library staff will schedule a time to offer one-on-one help. Simply visit evergreenparklibrary.org/using-the-library/book-a-librarian and fill out the form for Device/Technology Assistance.
- 12:00 PM
- Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S Troy Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Computer Lab Open Hours and Internet Access at Evergreen Park Public Library
Evergreen Park Public Library
Evergreen Park Public Library's Computer Lab is open Monday-Thursday, 9 am to 8:45 pm, Friday & Saturday, 9 am to 4:45 pm, and Sundays, Noon to 3:34 pm. The Computer Lab is staffed for assistance. Services include internet access, printing, faxing, scanning, and copying.
- 9:00 AM
- Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S Troy Avenue, Evergreen Park, IL 60805
Open Computer Lab
North Riverside Public Library District
Allow anyone to use the internet easily on in a safe space with basic assistance.
- 10:00 AM
- North Riverside Public Library District
Appy Hour: Answering Mobile App Questions for Seniors
Lemont Public Library District
Our technology librarians will travel to Lemont's senior living facility to host an hour-long workshop. There we will answer any questions residents have about mobile apps and devices.
- 1:00 PM
- Franciscan Village. 1270 Village Dr., Lemont, IL 60439
Tuesday, October 3
Senior iPhone/iPad 2
Schaumburg Township District Library
Seniors can learn how to download and remove unwanted apps on their iPhone or iPad in a small group setting. This is part two of a four-part series.
- 10:00 AM
- Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60193
Open Computer Lab
North Riverside Public Library
Allow anyone to use the internet easily on in a safe space with basic assistance.
- 10:00 AM
- North Riverside Public Library
Technology program
Access Living
We plan to work with 18 consumers to enroll them into our technology program. Throughout the month of October-December they will receive technology training and possibly a device if it is needed.
- 10:00 AM
- Various locations
Do you have a idea or suggestion to advance digital equity in Cook County? Share it here!
Suburban Cook County Digital Equity Interest Form